Payroll Operation Team Leader (EU Region)

The Apex Group was established in Bermuda in 2003 and is now one of the world’s largest fund administration and middle office solutions providers.

Our business is unique in its ability to reach globally, service locally and provide cross-jurisdictional services. With our clients at the heart of everything we do, our hard-working team has successfully delivered on an unprecedented growth and transformation journey, and we are now represented by over circa 13,000 employees across 112 offices worldwide.Your career with us should reflect your energy and passion.

That’s why, at Apex Group, we will do more than simply ‘empower’ you. We will work to supercharge your unique skills and experience.

Take the lead and we’ll give you the support you need to be at the top of your game. And we offer you the freedom to be a positive disrupter and turn big ideas into bold, industry-changing realities.

For our business, for clients, and for you

About the Role:

We are looking for an experienced and detail-oriented Payroll Team Lead to join our Global Payroll Operations team, leading payroll delivery across a portfolio of assigned entities. The successful candidate will act as the control point and technical escalation lead, overseeing a team of Payroll Seniors and ensuring the end-to-end delivery of accurate, compliant, and timely payroll processing. This role operates within a fast-paced, multi-jurisdictional environment and requires a high standard of accuracy, regulatory awareness, people leadership, stakeholder communication.

Job Specification:

EU Region

The main responsibilities of the position will include (but is not limited to) the following tasks:

• Perform second-level review and sign-off of payroll outputs
• Review and clear variance analysis (gross-to-net, headcount, etc) before escalating for final approval
• Spot-check statutory tax and social deduction calculations for accuracy
• Review and approve termination/leaver payroll calculations, including final pay, notice and holiday accrual
• Act as first point of escalation for HRBP, Finance, etc
• Track and report query resolution turnaround
• Act as named backup reviewer to preserve segregation of duties
• Own and maintain statutory payroll calendar, including real-time/periodic filings and remittances per jurisdiction
• Maintain a register of statutory registrations and system access per entity
• Document country and entity specific rules, including benefit-in-kind treatment and absence leave pay policy
• Maintain a controls matrix mapping segregation of duties, approval limits, and bank file controls
• Run process-mapping exercised to catalogue manual steps end-to-end across assigned entities
• Oversee monthly/periodic statutory submissions and remittances for all assigned entities
• Oversee annual compliance reporting, including end-of year statutory reporting
• Own audit readiness documentation and act as liaison to internal/external audit queries
• Track legislative changes affecting payroll and translate them into process updates
• Act as primary liaison with HRBPs on non-escalated, day-to-day queries
• Manage the relationship with the payroll vendor/support desk on system issues

Skills Required

• Minimum of 4-5 years of end-of-end payroll processing experience, with demonstrable multi-jurisdictional expertise
• Must have working knowledge of EU region payroll operations and processes
• Strong knowledge of applicable (EU region) tax legislation, social security contributions, statutory payments, and reporting obligations
• Experience working with payroll vendor platforms and HR/payroll integration
• Proficiency in payroll data validation, reconciliation and reporting
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple entities and payroll cycles simultaneously
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to manage employee and stakeholder enquires professionally and within SLA
• Experience creating and maintaining payroll SOPs and process documentation
• Proven people management experience, including performance reviews and development planning
• Ability to interpret and apply legislative changes independently

Desirable Qualifications

• Ability to interpret and apply legislative changes independently
• Experience within a multi-jurisdictional or global payroll environment
• Exposure to payroll automation or process-improvement initiatives
• Experience working within a financial services or regulated industry environment
• Experience managing or coordinating offshore/outsourced payroll delivery teams

What We Expect
Aligned to the AVP framework, the successful candidate will be expected to:

• Operate as an experience and reliable control point, ensuring all servicing requirements are consistently met and exceeded
• Carry out all duties in full accordance with internal policies and procedures, business standards
• Adhere to all legal, regulatory, and jurisdictional requirements applicable to assigned payroll countries
• Act as an active leaver and collaborator, building internal relationships and demonstrating a genuine commitment to team development and continuous improvement
• Escalate risks and control gaps proactively rather than reactively, always maintaining audit-readiness

Disclaimer: Unsolicited CVs sent to Apex (Talent Acquisition Team or Hiring Managers) by recruitment agencies will not be accepted for this position. Apex operates a direct sourcing model and where agency assistance is required, the Talent Acquisition team will engage directly with our exclusive recruitment partners.